Xi: China, Laos to share future

President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, meets with Lao President Bounnhang Vorachit, also general secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee, in Beijing on Wednesday. LI XUEREN / XINHUA via China Daily/Asia News Network

BEIJING — President Xi Jinping called for joint efforts with Laos to build a community of a shared future for China and Laos to bring more benefits to the people of both nations.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, made the remark while meeting with his Laotian counterpart Bounnhang Vorachit at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday.

The two leaders witnessed the signing of a number of cooperation documents between the two countries covering such areas as economy, technology, security, finance and national defense.

Xi called Bounnhang an old friend of the CPC and Chinese people and spoke highly of his efforts in boosting China-Laos relations. Since becoming general secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee in 2016, Bounnhang has visited China every year, Xi added.

Xi said that with the joint efforts of both sides, the important consensus reached by the two leaders during his state visit to Laos in November has been implemented efficiently, which has benefited the people of both sides.

The concept of a community of a shared future for China and Laos has been widely accepted by the two parties and countries, and the concept has drawn the blueprint of a bright future for bilateral ties, Xi said.

The two countries should make joint efforts to translate the concept of building a community of a shared future for China and Laos into real action, Xi said.

Xi stressed that China and Laos should enhance strategic communication, strengthen common political ground and launch dialogues in various areas.

The two countries should work together to build the Belt and Road and enhance cooperation to improve the people’s livelihoods and reduce poverty, Xi said.

Xi also highlighted the importance of security cooperation, saying that the two countries should enhance cooperation under such multilateral frameworks as the United Nations and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Xi said the global situation is facing profound changes with numerous opportunities and challenges, and the parties of the two countries are also facing new changes in building socialism.

Bounnhang called Xi a close friend who is trusted by the party, government and people of Laos. The important consensus reached by the two leaders during Xi’s visit in November is being implemented and it has led to a higher level of bilateral relations, he said.

Bounnhang said he fully agreed with Xi’s guiding thought on building a community of a shared future for China and Laos. Laos would like to maintain regular high-level meetings with China, boost exchanges of governance experience, enhance cooperation in all areas and push the building of the Belt and Road, he said. Bounnhang spoke highly of China’s progress in economic development, social harmony, reform and opening-up and building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. China has played an important role in global and regional affairs and made prominent contributions to the peace and development of northeast Asia and the world, Bounnhang said, adding that Laos feels gratitude for China’s selfless support and help.